The core virtues are internal principles and practiced habits created by Sensei Brad that when utilized in everyday life can lead to a happier, more successful and more fulfilled individual.

Why? – The real question here would be, why not? If we have the ability to live a deeper more vibrant life, shouldn’t we? The virtue of Ferocity, Unbound puts that very idea in question, challenging you to put it into practical application and see just how large a life you can live.

How – Take a moment to intensely focus on what you’re feeling; acknowledge it, appreciate it and accept it without letting any other thought or emotion dampen your state of mind.

Intense Intention – The practiced ability of quieting those distractions around you that would slow the progress of any goal or task currently in your mind. The mental skill of allowing a task to consume you until completion.

Why? – A single minded pursuit used as a habitual tool to more easily gain success in a world full of distractions.

How –With a goal in mind, immediately move towards accomplishing that goal. As distractions and thoughts enter your head that would veer you away (and they will), instantly redirect your attention back to the task at hand. Repeat these steps until completion and remember that everything is a distraction except taking action.

Reflection- There are two parts to this virtue.

1. External – Manifest that which you wish to see in the world.

Why? – It’s important to realize we can make real change. We all have the ability to make our own lives happier and more fulfilled by putting forth what which we wish to see in the world. Basically a self-fulfilling prophecy, if you want more happiness in your life then create it.

How – If you want to see happiness, provide happiness. If you wish to get respect, give respect. If you wish to see inspiration, inspire

How – Meditate on your actions, thoughts and feelings, trying to view them from the perspective of a bystander and removing any emotional connection to them.

Personal Expression- How would your own spirit shine through and make better a specific task or aspect of life?

Why? – To build confidence and practice your ability to create and improve.

How– To tell you how to do this would almost negate the definition of Personal Expression itself. Instead, I will use these very core virtues as an example of how I personally used the virtue of Personal Expression. The core virtues started as a feeling of inadequacy towards the general 5 rules that I was taught. Feeling that the rules only provided a basic understanding and never really made the students think, only memorize; I started the slow process of creating the core virtues in an effort to share more thought provoking guidelines to being a better martial artist and person as a whole.

Example – Resilience relating to success – Use the pride you feel in the achievement of any success as a stepping stone to further success.

Resilience relating to failure – Failure isn’t failure until you quit. We all fail. We will all try again. Knowing that failure is a part of life

As a second example, direct any frustrated or negative emotion towards the betterment of yourself in some way. Anxious, sad, or angry? Put the energy into learning a new skill, working out more or improving upon an area that you are already versed in (Self Defense).